Tennessee AYP Chapter 26

 2009 AYP Conference

Mission Possible Conference was a Huge Success!

Thanks to all the presenters, speakers, vendors and participants, our 2009 Conference was a great success.  We had 70 + participants, 7 vendors and a successful EAF live and silent auction.  The Homewood Suites were great hosts (with the exception of one particular elevator) and everyone had a good time.  Check out the "Conference" page for some great pictures!

A Message from the President...

It seems like our chapter conference was just yesterday, and just this past weekend I celebrated Independence Day.  For many Americans, this is a time of reflection, remembering the past, and looking forward to dreams in the future.  My first thoughts tend to wander toward freedom, summer fun, backyard barbeques, and fireworks displays. 

Sadly, our local and national economy seems to be placing a damper on this year’s festivities.  Over the past few days I have either seen or read news reports from national and local venues canceling their annual and time honored tradition of fireworks displays for families due to the low investment return, hard economic times, budget crunches, etc.  In addition, I continue to hear stories of businesses closing that have been in operation for decades.

Similar to these businesses and townships, our National AYP organization is also facing some difficult times.  If we all bond together, I know we can make a difference and see our time-honored organization once again thrive.  Keeping to the theme of the 2009 National AYP conference of “Birds of a Feather Flock Together” we are asking you to consider making a one time donation to the AYP general fund. 

Consider the following poem written by Linda Pederson in 1994.

Birds of a feather, flock together:

Have you e’er been walking and seen in the sky

A flock of geese flying and perhaps wondered why?

They fly in a V-shape—not in some other form

Such as small groups or large groups or straight as the norm.

No feathered brain fowl, these geese really know

How to travel efficiently where e’er they go.

The V  has a purpose, aerodynamically smart,

Those birds are good buddies; each one does its part.

They’ve got a neat system that’s oftern been shown

To provide for hurt geese so they’re not left alone.

They honk to encourage each other along.

There’s rarely a goose with its neck out of joint

Cuz each one gets its chance to fly at the point.

So ther’s never a leader too tired to lead

For each goose is primed for its turn when there’s need.

All of the creatures live lives that can teach

Us humans some lessons!  And geese surely preach

How to learn and to lead, to build up and to bond

Why geese can show teammates how they could respond

To each other like geese as they fly.  Don’t you think?

A team’s success is everyone’s responsibility.  Your AYP membership benefits each of us through career enhancement, learning opportunities, professional resources, training grants, We Care Network, and many others.  Teamwork sometimes requires individual sacrifice.  For this reason we are asking each member of Chapter 26 to consider donating at least a $10 gift to the National AYP general fund.  Please make your donation payable to AYP and mail to Lori Humphreys - AYP Treasurer, YMCA, 7609 Maynardville, Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37938.

Think about it, $10 could purchase you a lunch out, 6 sodas, or one gallon of gasoline Simply put, for $0.33 per day for one month it could help sustain the longevity of our Professional Organization of more than 140 years.  Let us not forget AYP is vital to the YMCA movement.  Your $10 donation is tax deductible.  Let’s keep our time honored traditions alive—please consider giving today!

Sincerely,

Vickey Beard

President

Tennessee Chapter

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Member Benefits

• Perspective Magazine - 12 issues a year that help you stay on the cutting edge of your profession

• Emergency Assistance Fund - financial aid during personal crisis

• Learning Opportunities - local, regional, and national conferences

• Professional Resources - career resource manual, new CEO handbook, geographic relocation manual, etc

• Training Grants

• Volunteer Involvement

• Recognitions - local, regional, and national awards

• WeCare Network - guidance for coping with job termination

 AYP is Your YMCA

CAREER CONNECTION

AYP Goals & Objectives

Click here to download the 2008 AYP Goals & Objectives

AYP Board Meeting

The next meeting for the Chapter 26 AYP board will be held on Friday, January 9th.  

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Chapter 26 Newsletter

Highlights of Chapter 26 updated quarterly.

2008 Financial Report